When you first learn of having a Corn Allergy, it doesn't seem like it will be that difficult to manage. You know to avoid corn, corn syrup, and popcorn. It seems pretty simple actually.

As it turns out, there are a few hundred ingredients that fall under the classification is, or can be, derived from corn. This information is not to scare you, but to help you be an informed consumer, and hopefully help you avoid those pesky corn based ingredients.

Caramel – coloring used in soft drinks, derived from corn “or cane sugar.” The “or” in Coca-Cola's explanation refers to a temporary change to make the ingredients Kosher for Passover. The rest of the year, it is from corn.

Cellulose, Vegetable, Powered, etc.

Citrate - can refer either to the conjugate base of citric acid, or to the esters of citric acid. An example of the former, a salt is trisodium citrate; an ester is triethyl citrate. Forms of Citrate include: CalciumCitrate, Magnesium Citrate, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, and more.

Dextrose (glucose) – corn sugar, found in cookies, ice cream, and paired with glucose in hospital IVs unless specified not to! Can also be used as a carrier with anesthetic shots such as Lidocaine and Novocaine! Dextrose is also injected into meat, lunch meats and deli cuts. Be weary of “honey baked” items, the sweet flavor may not be from honey.

Maltitol - (also known as Maltisorb and Maltisweet) Commercially, maltitol is a disaccharide produced by Corn Products Specialty Ingredients (formerly SPI Polyols), Cargill, Roquette, and Towa, among other companies. Maltitol is made by hydrogenation of maltose obtained from starch.

Maltodextrin

Maltose

Mannitol - A naturally occurring alcohol that is often combined with corn derived sugars. Here is the link on USDA's website explaining this practice.

Methyl Gluceth - an emollient used in cosmetics manufactured from corn sugar and corn starch.

Modified Food Starch

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - The MSGMyth site explains MSG is made from corn.

Polydextrose - is synthesized from dextrose, and contains sorbitol and citric acid. It is a food ingredient classified as soluble fiber and is frequently used to increase the non-dietary fiber content of food, replace sugar, reduce calories and reduce fat content. Note: Dextrose, Sorbitol, and Citric Acid are all on this list of ingredients derived from corn.

Vitamins - Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and Vitamin E (Tocopherols). Use caution with products that are "enriched" with added vitamins. The vitamins may be corn-derived, or corn-derivatives may be used in the binding (if solid) or suspension (if liquid) of the vitamin compound.

Xanthan Gum - a food additive that is used as a thickening agent. It is found in sauces, spices, and commonly in Gluten Free foods. Xanthan Gum is most often grown on corn, or corn sugars. If an item includes Xanthan Gum and states it is corn-free, call the manufacturing company and inquire as to the source of Xanthan Gum to be sure.

Xylitol - You will find Xylitol in Sugar Free items such as candy, chewing gum, cosmetics, mouth wash, and toothpaste

This list is not all inclusive of ingredients to avoid. Tip offs can be the generic use of ingredients without specifying their nature, for example: “natural” flavor, vegetable (which vegetable?), starch (which starch?), syrup, and so on.

Update 6/16/10: This page now has it's own "Tiny URL" so you can easily pass it along, or remember how to find it. Here is the shortcut URL: http://go.livecornfree.com/list

And good chance most are from GMO corn as 87% of all the corn planted in the US in recent years was from patented, genetically engineered seed. Most goes to animal feed and additives in packaged foods. _______________________

From Page 10 of Food, Inc's Press Release Kit, here are other common food additives that are usually derived from corn (and genetically modified corn at that) or have corn added to them.

Your list is wrong to include Baking Soda. Baking soda is not made from corn it is sodium bicarbonate. Its chemical formula is NaHCO3, so the elements that make up baking soda are Sodium, Hydrogen, Carbon, and Oxygen.

I wonder why FDA doesn't have corns as one of the food allergen. It seems to be every where. I have no idea how much it affects my life until I'm breastfeeding my baby who is allergic to corn. And I found out when he was 4 months. A month later, I still managed to consume foods with corns (derived). And now I have to call each company to ask them if their products have any traces of corn. Nora

We have been dealing with a corn, soy and peanut allergy for just over a year now. Everything at home is safe but when my husband is at work he gets sick. He works in a small office. Today they were in the old "print room" for a conference and his reaction today was much stronger than it normally is. Corn has a physical symptom of heartburn that escalates with exposure. Corn also has a psychiatric effect causing him to suffer from depression and mood swings when has too much exposure to corn. Can anyone out there help us figure out what is making him sick? We have eliminated the hand soap, water bottles and he carries all his own food, dishes and utensils. THANKS!(http://cornpeanutsandsoy.blogspot.com/)

It is so tricky to track down every element of corn interaction, in food, and also in our environment.

Since you mentioned he carries his own food, dishes and utensils that helps, but there are still a lot of unknowns.

Is the reaction limited to that one room? Corn may be in the paper products used at work, though I'm not sure how common that is currently. If the reaction extends to anywhere in his office, it could be because of part of the building (i.e. ceiling tiles).

When you figure this out (and you WILL!!) I would love to know the answer. It may help other people as well.

those he have any other allergies, i am severally allergic to corn/corn by-product everything i make myself, and i also have severe reaction to ragweed in turn am not able to eat watermelon, honeydew melon or cantalope because they are all in the ragweed family maybe he is allergic to another food and not know it... because when i was tested those 3 fruits didn't show up but he told me not to eat them (my throat swells shut not eating it no more)

I just came across your site and I am in heaven right now. To know that there are other people out there suffering from this terrible food allergy, makes me feel so much better. I found out I have Celiac Disease and several food allergies, including corn, back in August of 2009. I am only 23 years old and find it is EXTREMELY difficult to be a "normal" 23 year old at times, especially when it come to eating out and going to the bars.

Corn Free Toothpaste

Corn Free Vitamin C

Corn Free Gum

Disclaimer

Information and advice found on Live Corn Free is not intended to replace medical advice. I do not have medical training, and any advice given here is intended to supplement your knowledge and aid you in the medical treatment you are receiving from your physician.